Parallel (Travelers Series Book 1) (12 page)

Alex’s shoulders drop and he begins to relax. “Jeez, Etta. Why didn’t you just say that from the beginning? I was beginning to think you had a stalker!”

I find myself laughing at his comment. Yeah, this wouldn’t be the first time someone’s thought that of Cooper.

“This isn’t funny Etta, what in the world did he say to make you all worked up?” Alex isn’t about to let this go.

“He didn’t have any new information about my dad, so I was kind of annoyed. That’s all.” At least this part is true.

I glance at my watch and notice it’s time to get ready for school. Alex, instead of going back home, has another idea in mind. He decides to wait until I change into my uniform and offers to give me a ride to Dominion. This is the last thing I need—more questions—but I take him up on his offer, because he isn’t giving me any choice. No one told me that dating came with so much drama attached.

After I finish showering, I’m almost ready to meet Alex downstairs when he pokes his head through my bedroom door, just as I’m zipping up my skirt. “You sure you’re all right?” He inquires again.

“Hey, privacy!” It’s nice having a potential boyfriend, but there are boundaries—and if not, there should be. I’m sure if Maggie knew he was up here she’d escort him right back down to the kitchen where he can sit and wait in front of a pile of blueberry pancakes or something.

But Alex is undeterred and enters my room once he determines I’m fully dressed. He makes himself comfortable on my bed and I don’t bother to stop him. “What’s wrong Etta?”

“I think Jaime’s on her way. She’ll need a ride too,” I answer instead. At least I think she’s on her way. Where is she when I need her? She’s always around during the most inconvenient times and now she’s nowhere to be found. The last thing I need is another moment alone with Alex. I really do like him, but the whole boyfriend thing is all new territory to me. Its bad enough I have to learn a whole new life.

“You know Jaime. By the time she finally finishes getting ready, school will already be over,” he points out. “So, what did he tell you?”

“You’re still with that?” I ask, moving over to the bed. “I already told you, nothing. Look I know I’ve been acting weird lately, but there’s nothing to worry about. Cooper is just keeping an eye out for me while my dad is gone.”

“I can do that too, you know. Etta, please. I just want to help. If there’s anything I can do, just let me know.”

This is clearly an argument I’m not going to win. “Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind.”

Making sure I’m not going anywhere, Alex slides over to me on the bed, as I inch further away from him. If I shift any more, I’ll fall off the bed.

“Why are you being so distant?”

“I’m not. I’m just uncomfortable with you being up here, that’s all.”

“Do you want me to go?”

I hesitate. “No.” I’m taking out my frustration out on him and I know I’m not being fair. “But I guess we should both head downstairs and wait for Jaime.”

Instead, Alex moves in even closer and touches my face, tracing his finger along my cheek. “Etta, I don’t ever want you to think I don’t have feelings for you.”

My hand finds its way into his and I lace my fingers through his. “That’s what scares me. I’m not…I don’t think…I mean I don’t know what you expect from all this.” My other hand motions to indicate the two of us. I’m fishing and I know it. I want him to tell me if he expects more than just kissing and hand holding. “I need to know what this means to you.”

Only he isn’t listening. “You are so beautiful, you know that?” Alex gently brushes his hand from my face to the back of my neck and brings it in closer for a kiss.

My body relaxes against his and I let my physical wants take total control. I’ve never let a guy get this close to me and I’m not sure if I’m ready, but right here, right now, I feel safe in his arms.

He starts off by kissing me gently around my lips, until our mouths meet in a mutual locked frenzy. My body begins to turn hot, then a tingling sensation courses through my body that only worsens as we get closer.

Suddenly, visions of Cooper filter through my mind. This makes me stop as soon I realize where this is going with Alex. It takes all the energy I have to push Alex off me. Here I am, my first experience with a guy—my second, if you count last night, and I’m turning him away. “I can’t Alex.”

Thinking he’s going to be mad, Alex takes me completely by surprise. He stops trying to kiss me and looks me straight in the eye. “I understand Etta. Too soon?” He doesn’t appear to be angry, but he does look flustered. Maybe he really does have feelings for me that aren’t just physical. I imagine that if that’s what he’s after, he can always get that from Jenny. I’m sure she’d be willing to do whatever he wants.

“I’m sorry. This is all too sudden for me I guess.” As I speak the words, I discover I’m not sure if I mean being this close to someone or being in a relationship, but I figure being vague works in my favor until I can figure out which one I have the issue with.

Alex removes himself from the bed. “You’re right. Let’s go down and see what your aunt’s whipped up for breakfast.”

By the time we get downstairs, Jaime is waiting for us.

Jaime points to her watch, tapping her foot lightly against the hard wood floor. “What were you two doing up there? We’re going to be late for school.”

•  •  •

Today, Jaime doesn’t have to meet with any of her teachers during lunch. Since the sky is a bit overcast, we decide not to take any chances and eat in the cafeteria. I open my brown bag lunch and find a turkey sandwich, chips, and for dessert, a cupcake—housed in one of those individual plastic cupcake containers. I almost get teary eyed looking at my lunch. It’s nice having someone look after me that isn’t paid a monthly stipend.

I see a shadow fall across the table. Like yesterday, I assume its Alex, so I look up and smile. It quickly fades.

“So, where’s your boyfriend? He ditch you already?” Jenny laughs, her legion of minions stand giggling right behind her.

“Hey, Jenny, eat much?” Jaime points to Jenny’s daily ration of diet coke and fruit.

Even though I’m well aware that what she said isn’t true—hello, I made-out with Alex in my bedroom this morning for crying out loud—her comment still stings. “Didn’t you go out with Alex before he dumped you for me? Oh wait, you never really went out with him. You just follow him around.” Maybe the other me stood by and let Jenny walk all over her, but Perky Barbie is talking to this Etta now. This girl isn’t afraid to fight back.

“Ladies,” Alex addresses the table as he slides over next to me on the bench and smirks in Jenny’s direction. He’d clearly overhead the entire conversation.

As Jenny’s gaze remains fixated on Alex, I focus on her lunch tray—an apple and diet coke—typical Barbie food—and before I know what’s happening, the tray slips out of her grasp and goes sailing past two tables.

Jenny stands there looking completely stunned. “What the hell—”

“Jeez, Jenny, did you trip?” I try to divert the attention back at me and away from her flying lunch tray.

With no witty comeback, Jenny huffs and turns on her heels to go. “Whatever. Let’s go girls.” The girls quickly fall in line behind Jenny like a formation of birds.

Alex is still laughing at the sight of Jenny storming out of the cafeteria, when I ask, “Please tell me again you were never interested in her. I was talking smack, but please tell me I spoke the truth.”

Jaime cuts in before Alex can answer. “Did you really trip her? You just launched her lunch! No one’s ever stood up to her before. Poor girl doesn’t know who she’s up against.”

Thankfully, no one was paying attention to how Jenny’s tray managed to fly across the room. It’s only then I realize that it was my powers that sent her lunch into projectile motion. That’s a first. Before, I’d only ever managed to affected people’s motions. I have to remember to keep my emotions in check.

Alex sits there with a silly grin plastered on his face. “No. I told you I was never into her. Not my type.”

Funny, she was certainly his type back at Alexandria High.

Jaime gets serious for a moment. “I heard about the incident with Cooper this morning…are you sure you’re not involved? Do you think you could introduce us?”

News travels fast, I think as I glare at Alex. He’s purposely avoiding my stare, knowing full well he was the one told Jaime about Cooper. I’m sure he figures Jaime will talk some sense into me. Or worse, take Cooper out of the equation—like date him herself. And leave it to Jaime to bring him up right in front of Alex. She knows I’ll be forced to deny any sort of involvement. “I guess I could. But I’m not sure if he’s already seeing someone. Probably some hot college girl.” There’s no way I’m going to let her get near Cooper.

“Thanks. So hey, when does your dad get back into town? Do you think he’ll let you go up to Wintergreen next weekend?”

I’ve never been to Wintergreen, but I know where it is. The ski resort is just a couple hours south of here, near Charlottesville. I don’t know the first thing about skiing, but I think the ski season is already over. “I’m not sure. But I guess I can ask Aunt Maggie. Isn’t the season over though?”

“Yeah, but my folks still have a cabin. It still gets pretty chill out at night, so we can hang out in the hot tub.”

“I’m up for Wintergreen. Maybe I can ask my mom about your dad’s schedule so you can call and ask. She may not know, but she could probably find out,” Alex offers.

“Your mom? Why would she know anything?” Am I missing something here?

Alex looks confused for a second. “My mom’s a senator remember? She might be able to find out if your dad was sent on temporary duty assignment or something. Maybe there’s some satellite that got busted and they called your dad to assess the situation. He’s a scientist right?”

Right, a scientist. But I’m momentarily struck by his earlier admission. His mother is a senator? “Yeah, I guess that makes sense. It’d be great if you could ask her. If it wouldn’t be too much trouble.”

“No problem. I’ll ask her tonight.” He seems pleased to be able to do something for me.

“Thanks Alex.” Looks like I can turn to him for help after all.

“Great. It’ll be fun to get out of town for awhile. This place is getting stale,” Jaime says, happy we’re considering a weekend getaway.

Where in the hell did I end up? My father is some sort of hired gun for the government, probably doing some top secret stuff for the feds and Alex’s mom is a United States Senator. Oh, let’s not forget a weekend excursion to a ski resort just to use the hot tub.

After lunch, the three of us split up and go our separate ways. I head over to physics class. Even though it was part of my curriculum at Alexandria High, the class here at Dominion Hall is far more advanced. So far I’ve been lucky that Miss Stone hasn’t called on me. But I can already tell she doesn’t like me. I don’t know why, but every time she turns her attention to me, she scowls—which is really a shame because she’s actually pretty drop dead gorgeous for a science teacher. I’m sure she’d have all the single male faculty members—the married ones too—drooling over her slim physique and flawless blonde highlighted hair, if only her face didn’t always have that pained expression.

It’s still a couple minutes before class starts, so I pick a chair and open up my notebook. God, I hope I don’t end up failing this class. I wonder if I told Miss Stone that I defied quantum physics and traveled here from another dimension I could get extra credit. I go over how the conversation would play out in my head when I realize someone is talking to me.

“That’s a nice backpack you got there Etta. Where’d you score that?” I hear a snicker next to me.

Her timing is remarkable, I’ll give her that. I have the unfortunate pleasure of being seated next to Jenny—again. Seats aren’t assigned in any of our classes, but for some reason, Jenny always takes it upon herself to seat herself right next to me whenever we share a class. Unfortunately, we’re in almost every class together with the exception of Spanish. It’s like she waits until the last possible second to take her seat in order to ensure we sit next to each other.

Everyone overhears her snide remark and I quickly shift my legs to shield my book bag. It never occurred to me that my choice in backpacks would be an issue here. I glance over at the floor next to Jenny’s feet. Lying beside her is a fancy looking leather tote. I didn’t know anything about designer bags, but from the looks of it, I can tell it’s expensive. My eyes roam along the other desks and spot similar looking handbags and satchels. The school may force us to shield our personalities by having us wear uniforms, but the students at Dominion Hall Academy are still able to express their wealth and personal style with carefully selected accessories.

“I’m not much for flaunting. It’s tacky.” My face turns red, revealing my embarrassment at having been called out in front of everyone, but my tone remains level. I’m determined not to let her get the best of me.

“Whatever.” Jenny dismisses me and opens up her physics book.

This seems to be Jenny’s go-to catch phrase, but it sums up the situation quite nicely. I glance back up and notice Miss Stone starting back at me. Once again, her sour expression makes me squirm in my seat.

T
he rest of the afternoon turned out to be pretty boring, or as Jaime so delicately stated earlier, stale. I think I met my drama quota for the day and appreciated the slow paced afternoon. Tonight, I’m looking forward to nothing more than spending a quiet evening at home with Aunt Maggie.

At dinner, Aunt Maggie whips up the most fabulous lasagna from scratch—the pasta is so delicate, you can really savor the oozing mozzarella and Italian spices. It’s the best meal I’ve ever eaten and I’m pleasantly surprised to discover, over idle dinner chat, that I can be myself around my aunt. Not once am I pressured to answer a question I don’t have an answer to, nor apologize for my strange behavior. I don’t have to lie about what is really going on and I can finally relax. For once, I’m free to enjoy my time here in my new home.